Steve Coburn’s Meltdown Interview After Belmont

America fell in love with Steve Coburn because of his working-class hero story and the fact that an unknown was vying for horse-racing immortality. So why exactly is every upset when Coburn acted like someone who has never been there before?

After Coburn’s horse, California Chrome, lost its bid to be thoroughbred’s first Triple Crown winner since 1978, he went on a rant against owners, trainers and the Triple Crown system. Coburn’s beef is that horses do not have to compete in the Kentucky Derby or Preakness to participate in the Belmont Stakes, which has historical been the winning advantage at Belmont and has been the main reason given for the sport’s drought.

“This is not fair to these horses that have been running their guts out for these people and for the people who believe in them. To have somebody come up like this is a coward’s way out in my opinion, this is a coward’s way out.”

Coburn’s wife tried to calm him down, which sparked him to turn his back to the camera and shout “I don’t care.” Which was like watching your Mom and Dad having an argument at the kitchen table.

Coburn acted exactly like a blue-collar hero, just this time, it was in a losing effort.